Major factional moves in Victorian Labor Party post election win

Changes to the Andrews government’s ministry have been revealed, with one MP forced out and two promoted as part of a “stability deal”.

Shaun Leane has been moved out of the Andrews Government ministry, with right-aligned MPs Natalie Suleyman and Enver Erdogan to be promoted.

In a caucus meeting on Friday, Labor MPs endorsed minor changes to Cabinet following the party’s state election win.

It came just hours after a group of seven MPs aligned to the right wing of the party jumped ship to the premier’s Socialist Left grouping.

Enver Erdogan is in the ministry.

Natalie Suleyman has also been promoted.

Both sides agreed to promote upper house MP Enver Erdogan to the ministry, replacing Commonwealth Games Minister Shaun Leane who will return to his role as Legislative Council President.

Lizzie Blandthorn has also moved to the upper house, leaving a spot free from a lower house MP that will be filled by Natalie Suleyman.

Matt Fregon was also expected to be the new Deputy Speaker in the lower house following his victory in the electorate of Ashwood.

Michaela Settle and Kat Theophanous were tipped to be whip and deputy whip in the Legislative Assembly, while Lee Talarmis and new MP John Berger would fill these roles in the Legislative Council.

Shaun Leane is out of the ministry. Picture: David Geraghty

It was feared on Thursday night that multiple senior ministers in the AWU were going to be rolled from their positions because they were the last remaining group cut out of a party-wide stability deal.

But Mr Leane was the only one forced out under a deal agreed by both the left and the right, with Natalie Hutchins, Danny Pearson, Jaclyn Symes and Colin Brooks to remain on the frontbench.

There had been early discussions about the removal of Mr Brooks, but these were rebuffed.

Mr Leane’s position as president may also hinge on vote count in the Legislative Council.

Labor’s numbers in the upper house could fall to 15, putting pressure on the party to appoint a crossbench president so that they can maintain numbers for a vote.

Daniel Andrews confirmed the two new ministers will be officially sworn in on Monday.

The Premier confirmed dumped Minister Shaun Leane will be put forward as Labor’s candidate for president in the upper house.

“Otherwise everyone else has been re-endorsed and will be sworn in hopefully at a ceremony at Government House on Monday,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr Andrews said he will spend the weekend making calls before officially unveiling his latest portfolio allocations on Monday.

But he said its unlikely there will be a major shake-up given significant changes were made earlier this year to fill the void left by the retirement of senior ministers including James Merlino, Martin Foley and Lisa Neville.

“Portfolios will be allocated over the course of the weekend,” he said.

“We’ll work through those issues and have more announcements to make on Monday.

“There were some big changes made only five months ago, so I don’t think this will be wholesale change.”

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio is also set to pick up a new portfolio as the minister responsible for the revival of the SEC.

“There’s no prizes for guessing who that’ll be – Australia’s longest serving and best minister for energy Lily D’Ambrosio will do that,” the Premier added.

Meanwhile, Mr Andrews said he hasn’t attended a factional meeting in 12 years and guaranteed he wouldn’t attend one over the next term.

“That’s a matter for others,” he said.

Originally published as Major factional moves in Victorian Labor Party post election win